INVESTIGADORES
SCHWINDT Evangelina
congresos y reuniones científicas
Título:
Present knowledge on ascidian biodiversity at the SW Atlantic (Argentine Sea) with emphasis in invasive species
Autor/es:
TATIAN M; ALURRALDO G; LAGGER C; MAGGIONE T; SCHWINDT E; TABERNA A; VARELA MM
Lugar:
Naples
Reunión:
Congreso; 7th Tunicate Meeting; 2013
Institución organizadora:
Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn
Resumen:
The Southwestern Atlantic (Argentine Sea), considered to be one of the more pristine marine regions worldwide is, nevertheless, one of the poorly known in terms of its biodiversity, particularly in the case of ascidians. The scanty ascidian records from that extended area are from specimens collected by dredging many decades ago. Besides, recent documentations on the emergence of marine invasive species have resulted in scientific interest considering the impacts of biological invasions on native marine biodiversity. Since a decade, we perform samplings along the SW Atlantic: these include coastal (natural and harbour localities) and oceanic areas with the aim to collect ascidians, to determine species richness and especially, to report these considered as exotic/invasives. Although the status of native or exotic is difficult to establish (in part due to the scarcity of taxonomic studies), determinations on old museum collections help us to elucidate at least some of the species standings. The general survey of species revealed, at the moment a total of 71 ascidian species, eight of these whose exotic status is well documented. From exotics, five recluted in succesion plates deployed in Patagonian harbours: this represents a high percentage of the total ascidians and of the total exotic species found in these plates (33,3 and 29,4% respectively). The continuation of these surveys is necessary, but also, studies in order to assess the ascidian invasion processes and its impact on biodiversity. A similar one is actually in course in Puerto Madryn, one of the studied harbors.